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Marina urged to probe operations of shipping firm with Chinese crew
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is being urged to look into the operations of a shipping company allegedly carrying Chinese crews.
The Office for Transport Security (OTS), an attached agency of the Department of Transportation, said Marina should verify if the vessel of Spectrum Marine and Ship Management Inc. has a “Chinese crew” operating within Manila Bay.
Foreign vessels and crew are not authorized to do business in Philippine domestic waters without a special permit from Marina.
The OTS, the single authority responsible for the security of the transportation systems of the country, also requested Marina for a meeting.
It also assured to strengthen its partnership in compliance with the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code and OTS issuance for a safe and secured maritime transportation system in the country.
The Samahan ng Nagkaka-isang Marinong Pilipino earlier alleged that majority of the crew members of foreign vessels operating in Manila Bay are not Filipinos.
The vessels were supposed to be under a bareboat charter or temporarily under Philippine flag arrangement, but they continued to employ Chinese crew which is not allowed.
Chinese vessels and crew are not permitted to do business in the Philippine domestic waters unless they are given a special permit by Maritime Industry Authority.
SNMP asked the Philippine Coast Guard, Marina and the Department of Labor to inspect the foreign vessels that are being used in a reclamation project along Manila Bay.
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